🍝 Gastronomic guide to Rome: 15 must-visit restaurants
Italian cuisine is every gourmet's dream. Juicy pizzas, hearty pastas, delicate tiramisu, rich gelato will turn the head of every tourist. Italians know everything about good and tasty food.
There are establishments in Rome at every step. Do you want to eat deliciously and get aesthetic pleasure in the “eternal city”? We have compiled a guide for you on the establishments that you should definitely check out on your next Italian vacation.
La Fraschetta di Castel Sant'Angelo
A restaurant serving Roman cuisine, located a four-minute walk from Castel Sant'Angelo. Here you will not only get a taste of Italy, but also enjoy views of one of the most important attractions in Rome.
On the menu, everyone can choose a dish to their liking. Start your meal with appetizers, including caprese, ham and mozzarella, and assorted bruschetta. The price for them starts from 8€. The restaurant offers five types of pastas: from arabiata (10€) to the famous carbonara (12€).
For lovers of meat dishes, the chefs serve Roman-style saltimbocca (thin veal schnitzel, 15€), abbacchio al forno (roasted lamb, 18€), and beef dishes (16€).
How to end your day on a high note? Order a real Italian dessert. Your choice of tiramisu and cheesecake, sorbet and Nutella mousse. Each position will cost you 6€.
We recommend booking a table in advance, because the establishment is very popular among tourists and locals.
Instagram @lafraschettadicastelsantangelo
Mariuccia
This pizzeria is located two minutes walk from the Mostra di Leonardo (Leonardo da Vinci Museum) and five minutes from Piazza Navona.
Here you can try the legendary Italian pizza. Choose your favorite fillings, including seafood, prosciutto, bresaola, mortadella, pistachios, gourmet cheeses and vegetables. This pizza will not leave you indifferent!
We recommend paying attention to antipasti and carbonara. These dishes will remind you of this place for a long time.
Instagram @mariucciagroup
Forno Monteforte
An authentic Italian coffee shop with unrivaled pastries and excellent coffee. Two minutes from Piazza Navona – and you are in a real pastry heaven.
Confectioners start their work early in the morning. Here you can try crispy croissants, creamy maritozzi rolls and fruitcakes. Pay attention to the display case with cakes, tartlets and mignons – canapé desserts.
The establishment does not leave a single guest unattended. Chefs use seasonal fruits and berries to enhance the taste of baked goods. Every Sunday, pastry chefs prepare special baked goods so that families and close friends can come to the coffee shop, spend time in live communication and enjoy fresh culinary masterpieces.
Instagram @fornomonteforte
La Fornace
Is it possible to enhance the impression of the mysterious and majestic Vatican? Certainly! After all, after 10 minutes by car you will find yourself in a cozy family restaurant La Fornace.
Here you will fully experience the power of Italian hospitality. Guests are offered to start their meal with antipasti (1.5€-12€), then move on to pasta (10€-13€) or a meat dish (10€-20€). Did you come here with a strong desire to try pizza? Open a special section of the menu: the establishment prepares 20 types of famous Italian dishes (6€-12€).
We were very impressed with the lasagna, which we recommend every guest of the Italian capital try.
Instagram @la_fornace_roma
La Siciliana
Another cafe located near the Vatican. Choosing a dessert in this establishment is not an easy task, because the confectioners prepare as many as eight types of one canolli (Sicilian crispy tube with filling)!
Here you can enjoy strudel and tiramisu, hear the crunch of a fresh croissant and feel the aroma of spicy rum baba. By the way, you can buy whole desserts in the establishment. A great reason to celebrate your trip to Rome!
For lovers of hearty dishes, the cafe prepares pizzas and lunches. Pleasure for body and soul is guaranteed!
Instagram @lasicilianaroma
Baguetteria del Fico
Another place near Piazza Navona, where you can try the famous Italian bruschetta (14 types) and panini (19). Generous portions and unusual combinations of ingredients will make you reconsider your views on sandwiches.
Would you like to try a panini with porchetta, scamorza and pepperoni? Maybe you prefer the combination of salmon, walnut cream and goat cheese? What about bruschetta with jamon and fig marmalade?
Prices for panini are in the range of 7€-12€, bruschetta – 7€-10€. We recommend pairing them with the Syringe cocktail, an absolute classic of cocktails.
Instagram @ficoroma
Bonci
A pizzeria where the famous master Gabriel Bonci creates culinary masterpieces. The establishment serves Roman pizza with local products. Bonchi's pizzas are not just food, but art and artistry in its purest form.
The main concept of the establishment is take away (takeaway dishes), but for those who want to stay inside there are several small tables. You can choose not a whole pizza, but slices with different toppings. For example, opt for the classic – “Margarita” – and the signature pizza with scramble.
We recommend coming here in advance, because the queue for the popular Italian dish sometimes reaches 1.5 hours.
Instagram @bonci_gabriele
Fantasie Napoletane
Don't be surprised that we recommend the pizzeria to you again. Hundreds of establishments in Rome serve pizza, but to be impressed and remember it years later, you need to know the truly worthy places. Fantasie Napoletana is one of them.
Here they will prepare real Neapolitan pizza for you. If you want to try everything at once, assemble your pizza from halves or quarters.
Also, take a closer look at appetizers and omelettes with different fillings. You will remember the atmosphere of the establishment and the friendly staff no less than the culinary masterpieces.
Instagram @fantasie.napoletane
Anvedi
In Rome you will find four Anvedi establishments. These restaurants are equally suitable for a family holiday, a date or a friendly evening.
Great classics of Italian cuisine are prepared here. Grab some bruschetta (€5), ascolana olives (€5) or BBQ salsa with amatriciana sauce (€7) to whet your appetite. The chefs have developed 12 types of pasta (11€-14€) and 19 types of pizza (5€-10€).
Another section of the menu is very popular among visitors. The “American Cuisine” column challenges Italian classics every day. Order the Bacon Cheeseburger (€12), Chicken Burger (€12), Pork Ribs (€15) or the BBQ Burger (€13) with a Roman twist and choose your favorite in this race.
Instagram @anvedi.ristorante
Osteria Mare
If Roman Lima has made you want to try the freshest seafood, we have the perfect place for you! Head to the Osteria mare restaurant. Dishes are prepared from sardines, tuna, octopus, and perch caught on the same day. Can't imagine your life without mussels, shrimp, scallops? The restaurant will satisfy all your requests and wishes.
The interior of the establishment is dominated by white and blue colors. They symbolize the sea and the foam that the waves form. The restaurant specializes in Sicilian cuisine. Some recipes have been known for more than two thousand years. The characteristics of Sicily are also reflected in the dishes: chefs use oregano, mint and rosemary.
You can easily keep it to 35€! It is almost impossible to taste fresh seafood in Rome at this price.
We advise you to pay attention to the generous portions of pasta and burgers. We guarantee: you will hardly find a burger with octopus and pickled chicory outside Osteria Mare.
Instagram @osteriamare_roma
Delirium Cafe
Welcome to the gastronomic bar, where the main place is occupied by alcoholic drinks. With 150 bottled beers and 23 on tap in one evening, you'll be a beer expert.
Football fans often gather in the cafe to support their beloved team and spend the evening in great company. If you're in Rome and looking for a sports bar, check out Delirium.
For a serving of Belgian beer you will pay from 5€ to 70€, depending on your taste preferences. Food options include panini (from 6€), waffles (4€), burgers (10€), tortillas (8€), hot dogs (7€) and salads (7€). To reserve a table, we recommend downloading the Delirium Café Roma app. There you can also see the drinks list and menu.
Instagram @deliriumcafe_roma
Ristorante Armando
This restaurant has been open since 1950! And to this day it is managed by the descendants of the creators. The main values of this establishment are hospitality, authenticity and innovation. Agree, it’s worth coming here at least for these operating principles.
The establishment has two menus: a restaurant menu and a pizzeria menu. In the restaurant you can try a variety of appetizers (10€-12€), pastas and risotto (10€-20€), meat dishes (10€-55€) and seafood (12€-55€), desserts (6€) and gelatto (5€). If pizza is the main focus of your culinary visit, the menu offers 29 options, including vegan and vegetarian alternatives (€7.50-€10).
Instagram @ristorantearmando
Da Vittorio a Trastevere
A cozy traditional restaurant that is very popular with locals. All dishes are served in frying pans, and friendly staff will help you choose the option you like.
The establishment has an interesting feature. Every month, the chefs develop a four-course menu that can be enjoyed in the restaurant in addition to the main menu. For example, in April one of these dishes is tonnarelli pasta with bacon, pecorino, black pepper and truffle. Admit it, have you already tried hotels?
Instagram @davittorioatrastevere
Chiu Sapore
This is a real trattoria and Neapolitan pizzeria in one place. In addition to traditional Neapolitan dishes, the establishment is famous for its burgers, which are prepared with black angus meat. The Italian character of this dish is given by the combination of American meat with mozzarella and other local products.
On the menu you will find five burger options: Bacon Cheeseburger (15€), Crispy Chicken Burger (15€), Equal Pork Burger (18€), Parmigiano Burger (17€) and the signature Chiu Sapore (19€).
Pay attention to the “Best offer” position. The chefs indicate there only one dish that best reflects the style of the establishment.
Instagram @chiusapore
Gelateria del Teatro
The queue for this gelateria stretches for tens of meters. In 2004, the creators of the establishment wanted to find the best ice cream in the world, but in the end they decided to produce it themselves. Recipes are developed individually and worked on by hand until they are perfected.
The main values of gelateria are quality and freshness. To create gastronomic masterpieces, confectioners use only seasonal fruits and locally produced products. Particular attention is paid to people with food intolerance: a special menu without eggs, lactose and gluten has been developed for them.
The establishment serves more than 200 types of ice cream, which changes seasonally. Combine flavors, textures and colors for the ultimate Italian dessert experience. The entire menu is divided into five groups:
- fruit flavors (Sicilian orange, cherry, Avola almond);
- herbal and spicy (lavender and white peach, sage and raspberry, white chocolate and basil);
- traditional (coffee, pistachios, tiramisu);
- chocolate (Sacher, truffle, milk chocolate);
- cottage cheese (ricotta with figs and almonds).
By the way, if you really want to bring a sweet souvenir from a gelateria, then pay attention to chocolate, pastries and handmade truffles. Such gifts will not leave anyone indifferent!
Instagram @gelateriadelteatro